What you need to know when you are relaxing at sea with a baby with atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a hereditary allergic disease that causes skin inflammation and recurs frequently. The people call this disease diathesis. Such inflammation of the skin can develop from 2–3 months of life and pass by school age. In rare cases, allergic skin reactions remain for the rest of your life.
The risk of developing allergies increases if the mother consumes a lot of citrus fruits, strawberries and other allergens in the last trimester of pregnancy. This ailment is characterized by relapses and exacerbations upon repeated contact with the allergen.
The main causes of atopic dermatitis:
- heredity is the main reason doctors point to;
- reaction to dust, pollen, wool;
- reactions to foods and additives;
- contact with household chemicals;
- frequent use of drugs.
Vivid symptoms of the disease:
- discoloration of the skin;
- the appearance of spots, weeping or dry areas, erosion, small pimples, crusts;
- itching of the skin;
- dry skin in general;
- peeling and redness of the cheeks;
- diaper rash in babies that do not go away for a long time;
- swelling;
- "Geographical language".
Many doctors recommend travel to the sea for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. And that makes sense. The warm climate and the sun have a beneficial effect on the body of both adults and children. However, it is worthwhile to correctly and competently approach the choice of a resort, because the main task of the trip is to alleviate and get rid of the symptoms of the disease or to completely cure it.
The benefits of sea health improvement are to reduce the activity of inflammation processes, reduce itching, shorten periods of exacerbation and lengthen periods of remission. To alleviate the condition of a small child with allergies, or even to cure him of atopic dermatitis, stay in a warm climate on the seaside should be at least 6 weeks.
Recommendations for parents when choosing a vacation spot
- give preference to European resorts - a sharp change in climate puts an additional burden on the baby's body;
- if the baby is not yet a year old, it is better to relax in local resorts;
- try to avoid significant temperature changes, do not plan a vacation "from winter to summer", it is better to take the baby for recovery in the fall.
Do not forget that too hot climate is contraindicated for allergy sufferers.
The following resting places are recognized as ideal for babies with atopic dermatitis:
- the Black Sea coast (in particular Gelendzhik, Anapa);
- the coast of the Azov Sea;
- resorts in Bulgaria, Montenegro, Greece and Croatia.
What you need to remember
- always use sunscreens and moisturizers;
- follow a hypoallergenic diet;
- take a shower after sea baths to wash off the salt particles from the baby's skin;
- do not abuse the sun - increased sweating can provoke additional skin irritation;
- Offer your baby plenty of drinking water.
In order for the stay at sea to have a beneficial effect on the course of the disease, parents should pay attention to what is strictly forbidden to do while on vacation with an allergic child.
What not to do on vacation
- stop the usual preventive measures, relying only on sea water;
- not monitoring the child's full sleep is additional stress for the nervous system;
- sunbathing under the active sun - the skin of allergy sufferers is very sensitive;
- allow the child to stay in the water for a long time (bathing should last no more than 15 minutes);
- rubbing the child's body with a towel after he came out of the sea - this can cause burning and skin discomfort;
- take long walks when the sun is aggressive;
- use air conditioner often - it dries up the air;
- offering your child exotic fruits or new dishes - this can provoke allergies.
It happens that even with the observance of all of the above points, the child's illness at sea worsens. In such cases, it is imperative to consult a doctor.
Treatment with sea water and mild climate will have a beneficial effect or even relieve the child of atopic dermatitis. But at the same time, parents need to take into account all the recommendations outlined, then rest with an allergic baby will only bring a positive result and joyful impressions.
